Touchless utensil used to serve drinks

ABSTRACT

An apparatus including a touchless utensil used to serve drinks is provided. The apparatus includes the touchless utensil operable to enable a user to move a drinking glass without the user touching the drinking glass. The touchless utensil includes an elongated handle portion and an engaging portion attached to the elongated handle portion and including a C-shaped gripper including a major arc spanning more than 180 degrees. The elongated handle portion and the engaging portion are coplanar.

INTRODUCTION

The disclosure generally relates to an apparatus, system, and method for a touchless utensil used to serve drinks.

BACKGROUND

Drinks are served by one person to another person. In a commercial setting, a server or bartender pours a drink into a glass and hands the drink to a customer. However, such personal contact from a server to the glass and then from the customer to the glass is a potential condition where germs may be passed from a first person to a second. For example, in relation to the Coronavirus outbreak of 2020, social distancing standards are set to reduce or eliminate personal contact from a first person to a second.

SUMMARY

An apparatus including a touchless utensil used to serve drinks is provided. The apparatus includes the touchless utensil operable to enable a user to move a drinking glass without the user touching the drinking glass. The touchless utensil includes an elongated handle portion and an engaging portion attached to the handle portion and including a C-shaped gripper including a major arc spanning more than 180 degrees. The handle portion and the engaging portion are coplanar.

In some embodiments, the C-shaped gripper is oriented in a horizontal plane, and the touchless utensil is constructed of material with a constant thickness in a vertical direction.

In some embodiments, the material includes plastic.

In some embodiments, the material includes wood.

In some embodiments, the material includes metal.

In some embodiments, the material includes glass.

In some embodiments, the engaging portion includes two C-shaped grippers, each C-shaped gripper including a major arc spanning more than 180 degrees.

In some embodiments, the engaging portion includes four C-shaped grippers, each C-shaped gripper including a major arc spanning more than 180 degrees.

According to one alternative embodiment, a system including a touchless utensil used to serve drinks is provided. The system includes a tapered drinking glass including side walls with a more narrow portion at a vertically lower portion of the tapered drinking glass and with a more wide portion at a vertically higher portion of the tapered drinking glass. The system further includes the touchless utensil operable to enable a user to move the drinking glass without the user touching the drinking glass. The touchless utensil includes an elongated handle portion and an engaging portion attached to the elongated handle portion and including a C-shaped gripper including a major arc spanning more than 180 degrees. The C-shaped gripper is operable to nest against a vertically central portion of the tapered drinking glass. The handle portion and the engaging portion are coplanar.

In some embodiments, the C-shaped gripper terminates at a first end at an engaging portion first tip and terminates at a second end at an engaging portion second tip, and a distance between the engaging portion first tip and the engaging portion second tip is greater than a width of the drinking glass at the more narrow portion. This enables the C-shaped gripper to engage the drinking glass at the more narrow portion without disturbing the drinking glass.

In some embodiments, the system further includes the engaging portion including a plurality of C-shaped grippers and a drinking glass for each of the plurality of C-shaped grippers.

In some embodiments, the C-shaped gripper is oriented in a horizontal plane, and the touchless utensil is constructed of material with a constant thickness in a vertical direction.

In some embodiments, the material includes plastic.

In some embodiments, the material includes wood.

In some embodiments, the material includes metal.

In some embodiments, the material includes glass.

According to one alternative embodiment, a method including a touchless utensil used to serve drinks is provided. The method includes holding a handle portion of the touchless utensil. The touchless utensil includes an engaging portion attached to and coplanar with the elongated handle portion, includes a C-shaped gripper including a major arc spanning more than 180 degrees, and is operable to enable a user to move a tapered drinking glass without the user touching the tapered drinking glass. The method further includes engaging an engaging portion of the touchless utensil to the tapered drinking glass. The tapered drinking glass includes a more narrow portion at a vertically lower portion of the tapered drinking glass and further includes a more wide portion at a vertically higher portion of the tapered drinking glass. The engaging includes positioning the more narrow portion within the C-shaped gripper. The method further includes lifting the touchless utensil vertically upward relative to the drinking glass such that the C-shaped gripper nests against a vertically central portion of the tapered drinking glass and using the handle portion to move the tapered drinking glass.

In some embodiments, the method further includes moving the drinking glass to a surface at which the drinking glass is to be served, setting the drinking glass upon the surface, and lowering the touchless utensil vertically downward relative to the drinking glass. The method further includes then disengaging the touchless utensil from the drinking glass.

The above features and advantages and other features and advantages of the present disclosure are readily apparent from the following detailed description of the best modes for carrying out the disclosure when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 schematically illustrates in top view an exemplary touchless utensil used to serve drinks, in accordance with the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 schematically illustrates the touchless utensil of FIG. 1 in a side view, in accordance with the present disclosure;

FIG. 3 schematically illustrates the touchless utensil of FIG. 1 in a bottom view, in accordance with the present disclosure;

FIG. 4 schematically illustrates in top view an alternative exemplary touchless utensil used to serve drinks, in accordance with the present disclosure;

FIG. 5 schematically illustrates in top view an alternative exemplary touchless utensil used to serve drinks, in accordance with the present disclosure;

FIG. 6 schematically illustrates in top view an alternative exemplary touchless utensil used to serve drinks, in accordance with the present disclosure;

FIG. 7 illustrates a touchless utensil system in perspective view, with the touchless utensil being initially engaged to the drinking glass, in accordance with the present disclosure;

FIG. 8 illustrates the touchless utensil system of FIG. 7, with the touchless utensil lifted to carry the drinking glass, in accordance with the present disclosure;

FIG. 9 illustrates the touchless utensil system of FIG. 7, with the touchless utensil disengaging from the drinking glass, in accordance with the present disclosure;

FIG. 10 illustrates a method for serving drinks using a touchless utensil system, in accordance with the present disclosure; and

FIG. 11 schematically illustrates in top view an additional alternative exemplary touchless utensil used to serve drinks, in accordance with the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

An apparatus, system, and method for serving drinks with a touchless utensil are provided. A server holds the utensil, grips a drinking glass with the utensil, fills the drinking glass without personally touching the drinking glass, uses the utensil to provide the drinking glass to a customer, and disengages the utensil from the drinking glass. The touchless utensil is touchless in so far as the user does not need to touch the drinking glass in order to serve the drinking glass to another person.

FIG. 1 schematically illustrates in top view an exemplary touchless utensil 10 used to serve drinks. The touchless utensil 10 is illustrated including an elongated handle portion 20 and a drinking glass engaging portion 30.

A circle includes a polygon extending 360 degrees about a center point. An arc includes a portion of a circle extending some portion of the full 360 degrees of the circle. A major arc of a circle extends more than 180 degrees of the circle.

Drinking glass engaging portion 30 includes a C-shaped gripper including a major arc 40 of a circle upon an inner surface of the gripper. A gripper or gripping feature may include two finger-like extensions configured to wrap around a drinking glass or other object. Between the finger-like extensions, the gripper creates a round opening through which a drinking glass may be inserted and securely held. Major arc 40 extends more than 180 degrees around the circle and terminates at a first end at an engaging portion first tip 42 and at a second end at an engaging portion second tip 44. Major arc 40 enables the touchless utensil 10 to nest or couple to a tapered drinking glass, with the major arc 40 contacting and lifting against an outer surface of the drinking glass at a portion of the drinking glass where an outer diameter of the drinking glass matches the inner diameter of the major arc 40.

In the embodiment of FIG. 1, the elongated handle portion 20 and the drinking glass engaging portion 30 are coplanar, are constructed of a single piece of material, and are constructed of a material with a constant thickness in a direction perpendicular to the C-shaped gripper. In some embodiments, the material may be additionally coated with a rubberized material on some or all surfaces to increase friction between the user's hand and the elongated handle portion 20 or between the drinking glass and engaging portion 30.

Major arc 40 includes an inner diameter in the shape of a partial circle spanning greater than 180 degrees. By including more than 180 degrees in the major arc 40, the drinking glass may be held stably by the engaging portion of the touchless utensil. If the arc was instead semi-circular or limited to 180 degrees, the drinking glass could slide out of the open side of the circle and potentially be dropped, thereby reducing an effectiveness of the touchless utensil.

FIG. 2 schematically illustrates the touchless utensil 10 of FIG. 1 in a side view. FIG. 3 schematically illustrates the touchless utensil 10 of FIG. 1 in a bottom view. The touchless utensil of FIGS. 1-3 is illustrated constructed with a constant thickness material, as perceived from the side and bottom views. In one example, the touchless utensil may be cut from an initially flat, planar piece of material such as plastic. In other embodiments, the touchless utensil may have a varying thickness, may be injection molded or otherwise may be formed in varying, complex shapes.

FIG. 4 schematically illustrates in top view an alternative exemplary touchless utensil used to serve drinks. A touchless utensil 110 is illustrated including an elongated handle portion 120 and a drinking glass engaging portion 130. The elongated handle portion 120 of FIG. 4 is shorter than the elongated handle portion 20 of FIG. 1.

Drinking glass engaging portion 130 includes a C-shaped gripper including a major arc 140 of a circle upon an inner surface of the gripper. Major arc 140 extends more than 180 degrees around the circle and terminates at engaging portion first tip 142 and engaging portion second tip 144.

FIG. 5 schematically illustrates in top view an alternative exemplary touchless utensil used to serve drinks. A touchless utensil 210 is illustrated including an elongated handle portion 220 and a drinking glass engaging portion 230. The touchless utensil 210 is operable to carry two drinking glasses at one time.

Drinking glass engaging portion 230 includes two C-shaped grippers, a first including a major arc 240 of a circle upon an inner surface of the first gripper and a second including a major arc 250 of a circle upon an inner surface of the second gripper. Major arc 240 and major arc 250 each extend more than 180 degrees around each respective circle. Major arc 240 terminates at engaging portion first tip 242 and engaging portion second tip 244. Major arc 250 terminates at engaging portion first tip 252 and engaging portion second tip 254.

FIG. 6 schematically illustrates in top view an alternative exemplary touchless utensil used to serve drinks. A touchless utensil 310 is illustrated including an elongated handle portion 320 and a drinking glass engaging portion 330. The touchless utensil 310 is operable to carry four drinking glasses at one time. In one embodiment, the touchless utensil 310 may be utilized to serve flights of samples or relatively small servings of beer or other drinks, for example, limited to approximately two to four fluid ounces each.

Drinking glass engaging portion 330 includes four C-shaped grippers, a first including a major arc 340 of a circle upon an inner surface of the first gripper, a second including a major arc 350 of a circle upon an inner surface of the second gripper, a third including a major arc 360 of a circle upon an inner surface of the third gripper, and a fourth including a major arc 370 of a circle upon an inner surface of the fourth gripper. Major arc 340, major arc 350, major arc 360, and major arc 370 each extend more than 180 degrees around each respective circle. Major arc 340 terminates at engaging portion first tip 342 and engaging portion second tip 344. Major arc 350 terminates at engaging portion first tip 352 and engaging portion second tip 354. Major arc 360 terminates at engaging portion first tip 362 and engaging portion second tip 364. Major arc 370 terminates at engaging portion first tip 372 and engaging portion second tip 374.

FIG. 11 schematically illustrates in top view an additional alternative exemplary touchless utensil 510 used to serve drinks. The touchless utensil 510 is illustrated including an elongated handle portion 520 and a drinking glass engaging portion 530. The touchless utensil 510 is operable to carry four drinking glasses at one time. In one embodiment, the touchless utensil 510 may be utilized to serve flights of samples or relatively small servings of beer or other drinks, for example, limited to approximately two to four fluid ounces each.

Drinking glass engaging portion 530 includes four C-shaped grippers, a first including a major arc 540 of a circle upon an inner surface of the first gripper, a second including a major arc 550 of a circle upon an inner surface of the second gripper, a third including a major arc 560 of a circle upon an inner surface of the third gripper, and a fourth including a major arc 570 of a circle upon an inner surface of the fourth gripper. Major arc 540, major arc 550, major arc 560, and major arc 570 each extend more than 180 degrees around each respective circle. Major arc 540 terminates at engaging portion first tip 542 and engaging portion second tip 544. Major arc 550 terminates at engaging portion first tip 552 and engaging portion second tip 554. Major arc 560 terminates at engaging portion first tip 562 and engaging portion second tip 564. Major arc 570 terminates at engaging portion first tip 572 and engaging portion second tip 574.

FIG. 7 illustrates a touchless utensil system 60 in perspective view, with the touchless utensil being initially engaged to a drinking glass 70. The drinking glass 70 is illustrated including a most narrow portion 72 at a bottom, closed end 71, a central portion 76, and a most wide portion 74 at a top, open end 73. The drinking glass 70 is resting upon flat surface 62. An arrow is illustrated showing the touchless utensil 10 being moved horizontally toward the most narrow portion 72. A diameter of the major arc 40 and a distance between the engaging portion first tip 42 and the engaging portion second tip 44 may be selected or configured based upon a size of drinking glass 70 to be used with the touchless utensil 10. The diameter of the major arc 40 or the width of the gripper defined by the major arc 40 may selected based upon a diameter of a selected center portion 76 of the drinking glass 70 to be utilized with the touchless utensil 10. For example, the drinking glass 70 may be tapered, with a most narrow portion 72 of the drinking glass 70 existing at a bottom, closed end 71 of the drinking glass 70 and with a most wide portion 74 of the drinking glass 70 existing at a top, open end 73 of the drinking glass 70. The diameter of the major arc 40 may be selected to be larger than a diameter of the drinking glass at the most narrow portion 72 of the drinking glass 70 and smaller than a diameter of the drinking glass 70 at the most wide portion of the drinking glass. In one embodiment, the diameter of the major arc 40 may be selected to be half-way between or an average of the diameter of the drinking glass 70 at the most narrow portion 72 and the diameter of the drinking glass 70 at the most wide portion 74.

The distance between the engaging portion first tip 42 and the engaging portion second tip 44 may be selected based upon a most narrow portion 72 of the drinking glass 70 or a portion of the drinking glass 70 at a bottom, closed end 71. In one embodiment, the touchless utensil 10 may be configured to be initially engaged to the drinking glass 70 at or near a bottom of the drinking glass 70, with the distance between the engaging portion first tip 42 and the engaging portion second tip 44 being wider than the bottom of the drinking glass 70. The engaging portion first tip 42 and the engaging portion second tip 44 may be maneuvered around the bottom of the drinking glass 70, such that a horizontal center of the drinking glass 70 is situated in the center of major arc 40. Once the major arc 40 is situated with the glass at the center of the major arc 40, the touchless utensil 10 may be lifted and used to carry the drinking glass.

Other shapes of drinking glasses may be utilized. For example, a drinking glass may be utilized with a bulge in a center portion of the drinking glass. The diameter of major arc 40 may be selected to fit under the bulge and carry the drinking glass from under the bulge. In another example, a wine glass including a wide base, a wide cup portion, and a thin stem connecting the wide base and the wide cup portion may be utilized. The diameter of major arc 40 may be selected to fit under the wide cup portion, with the distance between the engaging portion first tip 42 and the engaging portion second tip 44 being selected to be wider than the stem portion of the wine glass.

FIG. 8 illustrates the touchless utensil system 60 in perspective view, with the touchless utensil 10 lifted to carry the drinking glass 70. The engaging portion 30 is illustrated nested to center portion 76 of the drinking glass 70, such that drinking glass 70 may be stably carried from one place to another.

FIG. 9 illustrates the touchless utensil system 60 of FIG. 7, with the touchless utensil 10 disengaging from the drinking glass 70. The drinking glass 70 is illustrated including a most narrow portion 72 at a bottom, closed end 71, a central portion 76, and a most wide portion 74 at a top, open end 73. The touchless utensil is illustrated including the major arc 40, the engaging portion first tip 42, and the engaging portion second tip 44. The drinking glass 70 has been carried to and set upon flat surface 62, and the touchless utensil 10 has been lowered away from the center portion 76 of the drinking glass 70. Because the distance between the engaging portion first tip 42 and the engaging portion second tip 44 is greater than the diameter of the most narrow portion 72, the touchless utensil 10 may be pulled away from the drinking glass 70 upon the flat surface 62 without disturbing the drinking glass 70 or its contents. An arrow is illustrated showing the touchless utensil 10 being moved horizontally away from the most narrow portion 72. Through the illustrated steps of FIGS. 7-9, the touchless utensil 10 may be utilized to pick up, carry, and deliver the drinking glass to a person without a server ever touching the drinking glass 70.

FIG. 10 illustrates a method for serving drinks using a touchless utensil system. Method 400 starts at step 402. Throughout method 400, a user serving a drink contained within the drinking glass never touches the drinking glass, but instead, the user limits physical contact to an elongated handle portion of the touchless utensil. At step 404, the touchless utensil according to the disclosure is engaged to a bottom portion of a drinking glass which is initially resting upon a flat surface, with an engaging portion first tip and an engaging portion second tip being wider than and fitting past the bottom portion, such that the glass is contained within a major arc portion of the engaging portion. At step 406, the touchless utensil is lifted vertically upward relative to the drinking glass, such that the major arc of the engaging portion of the touchless utensil nests against a portion of the drinking glass where an outer diameter of the drinking glass matches the inner diameter of the major arc. At step 408, the touchless utensil and the drinking glass, collectively, are lifted such that the drinking glass is no longer upon the flat surface. At step 410, the touchless utensil and the drinking glass are collectively carried to a point where the drinking glass is to be served to a waiting person. At step 412, the touchless utensil and drinking glass are collectively lowered until the drinking glass rests upon a surface proximate to the waiting person. At step 414, the touchless utensil is lowered vertically relative to the drinking glass, such that the major arc and the drinking glass are no longer nested. At step 416, the touchless utensil is moved away from the drinking glass, with engaging portion first tip and an engaging portion second tip fitting past the bottom portion of the drinking glass without disturbing the drinking glass. At step 418, the method ends. A number of additional and/or alternative steps are envisioned, and the disclosure is not intended to be limited to the exemplary method steps disclosed herein.

In one embodiment, the disclosed touchless utensil may be used universally in an upright or upside-down orientation or to grip to an initially upside-down empty drinking glass. In order to grip an initially upside-down empty drinking glass, the touchless utensil may be engaged to or moved over a top of a narrow bottom portion of the upside-down drinking glass, which is vertically at a top of the drinking glass because the drinking glass is upside-down. The drinking utensil may then be moved vertically downward to a central portion of the drinking glass to a portion of the drinking glass where an outer diameter of the drinking glass matches the inner diameter of the major arc. In particular, when the touchless utensil is plastic and may deform slightly or when the touchless utensil is wooden and the grains of the wood may present a rough surface to the glass, the touchless utensil may grip to the glass, such that when a torque or rapid twisting motion is applied to a handle portion of the touchless utensil, the utensil and the attached drinking glass will flip to an upright orientation. Such a flipping motion is further enabled by the utensil including an elongated handle portion and an engaging portion that are coplanar with each other. Additionally, if the material of the utensil is constructed with a constant thickness throughout the device, flipping the glass may be simplified. Additionally, if the elongated handle portion and the engaging portion are coplanar and the utensil is constructed with a constant thickness throughout the device, the device may be usable whether the device is upright or flipped upside down. The elongated handle may include a rectangular cross section that has an identical ergonomic presentation to a hand of the user whether the device is upright or upside down. This reversible use or usefulness to flip the glass may speed use of the device and increase productivity of the user as compared to a device with a non-coplanar handle or other complex shape that may only be reasonably used in one orientation.

The disclosed touchless utensil may be constructed of a number of different materials, including but not limited to food grade plastics or polymer, wood, metal, glass, or other similar materials used in the food industry.

While the best modes for carrying out the disclosure have been described in detail, those familiar with the art to which this disclosure relates will recognize various alternative designs and embodiments for practicing the disclosure within the scope of the appended claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. An apparatus including a touchless utensil used to serve drinks, comprising: the touchless utensil operable to enable a user to move a drinking glass without the user touching the drinking glass, the touchless utensil including: an elongated handle portion; and an engaging portion attached to the elongated handle portion and including a C-shaped gripper including a major arc spanning more than 180 degrees; and wherein the elongated handle portion and the engaging portion are coplanar.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the C-shaped gripper is oriented in a horizontal plane; and wherein the touchless utensil is constructed of a material with a constant thickness in a vertical direction.
 3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the material includes plastic.
 4. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the material includes wood.
 5. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the material includes metal.
 6. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the material includes glass.
 7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the engaging portion includes two C-shaped grippers, wherein each of the C-shaped grippers includes a major arc spanning more than 180 degrees.
 8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the engaging portion includes four C-shaped grippers, wherein each of the C-shaped grippers includes a major arc spanning more than 180 degrees.
 9. A system including a touchless utensil used to serve drinks, comprising: a tapered drinking glass including side walls with a more narrow portion at a vertically lower portion of the tapered drinking glass and with a more wide portion at a vertically higher portion of the tapered drinking glass; and the touchless utensil operable to enable a user to move the tapered drinking glass without the user touching the drinking glass, the touchless utensil including: an elongated handle portion; and an engaging portion attached to the elongated handle portion and including a C-shaped gripper including a major arc spanning more than 180 degrees, wherein the C-shaped gripper is operable to nest against a vertically central portion of the tapered drinking glass; and wherein the elongated handle portion and the engaging portion are coplanar.
 10. The system of claim 9, wherein the C-shaped gripper terminates at a first end at an engaging portion first tip and terminates at a second end at an engaging portion second tip; and wherein a distance between the engaging portion first tip and the engaging portion second tip is greater than a width of the tapered drinking glass at the more narrow portion, thereby enabling the C-shaped gripper to engage the drinking glass at the more narrow portion without disturbing the drinking glass.
 11. The system of claim 9, further comprising: the engaging portion including a plurality of C-shaped grippers; and a tapered drinking glass for each of the plurality of C-shaped grippers.
 12. The system of claim 9, wherein the C-shaped gripper is oriented in a horizontal plane; and wherein the touchless utensil is constructed of a material with a constant thickness in a vertical direction.
 13. The system of claim 12, wherein the material includes plastic.
 14. The system of claim 12, wherein the material includes wood.
 15. The system of claim 12, wherein the material includes metal.
 16. The system of claim 12, wherein the material includes glass.
 17. A method including a touchless utensil used to serve drinks, comprising: holding an elongated handle portion of the touchless utensil, wherein the touchless utensil includes an engaging portion attached to and coplanar with the elongated handle portion, includes a C-shaped gripper including a major arc spanning more than 180 degrees, and is operable to enable a user to move a tapered drinking glass without the user touching the tapered drinking glass; engaging the engaging portion of the touchless utensil to the tapered drinking glass, wherein the tapered drinking glass includes a more narrow portion at a vertically lower portion of the tapered drinking glass and with a more wide portion at a vertically higher portion of the tapered drinking glass, engaging the engaging portion to the tapered drinking glass includes placing the more narrow portion within the C-shaped gripper; lifting the touchless utensil vertically upward relative to the tapered drinking glass such that the C-shaped gripper nests against a vertically central portion of the tapered drinking glass; and using the elongated handle portion to move the tapered drinking glass.
 18. The method of claim 17, further comprising: moving the tapered drinking glass to a surface at which the tapered drinking glass is to be served; setting the tapered drinking glass upon the surface; lowering the touchless utensil vertically downward relative to the tapered drinking glass; and disengaging the touchless utensil from the tapered drinking glass. 